Leopard Wrasse Primer

Leopard Wrasse Primer

  • Macropharyngodon bipartitus

    Votes: 67 28.4%

  • Macropharyngodon choati

    Votes: 12 5.1%

  • Macropharyngodon geoffroy

    Votes: 24 10.2%

  • Macropharyngodon meleagris

    Votes: 78 33.1%

  • Macropharyngodon negrosensis

    Votes: 29 12.3%

  • Other

    Votes: 26 11.0%
  • Total voters
    236
Well I thought I was going to call it quits with the 4 leopards I have currently but I came across one I could not pass up. I have a male and female meleagris, a female bipartitus, and an ornate that I'm unsure on the sex.

A couple weeks ago I came across a black leopard at a LFS in a tiny one gallon cube, hunting like crazy. She's very small, maybe 2" or a little less. I had enough store credit to pay for her anyway so I decided she'd have a better shot with me than if I left her there. Definately paid off she is eating about anything I give her (mysis, brine, roe, cyclopeez, live black worms) and doing very well.

I'm a little scared about acclimating her to my display though with 4 larger leopards. My male really gave the ornate a hard time for about a week or so which was my last leopard addition. I used an acclimation box that time but only for a day. I'm thinking I'll use the box longer this time around.

Heres the only pic I got of her, I cant get good pics in my QT it's a little dirty.

IMG_2284_zps2f415984.jpg
 
I just recently added my Black Leopard to the DT. Although mine is alittle larger about 3.5-4" it didn't have any problems with any of the other Leopards including a large male Ornate which totally ignores it. I placed it an acclimation box for the day and released right before lights out, the problem came from my PBT, even though it ignored it in the box, it gave chase when it released..... that only lasted a day ..GL
 
My black leopard, the one that disappeared into the sand AFAIK for close to six weeks, is looking better and better. She now spends most of the day out, and eats brine and Mysis with enthusiasm. Still a little timid, so I have been unable to get a decent photo, but I do believe she will be one for the 'win' column.
 
ca1ore said:
My black leopard, the one that disappeared into the sand AFAIK for close to six weeks, is looking better and better. She now spends most of the day out, and eats brine and Mysis with enthusiasm. Still a little timid, so I have been unable to get a decent photo, but I do believe she will be one for the 'win' column.
Click to expand...
that's AWESOME news. i was just wondering how she was doing after her duration in what seemed exile. that's great.
 
  • M. bipartitus (female), ~3". Have had her for 6 weeks.
  • Source - online (NY Aquatics)
  • Method of introduction - QT'd for 4 weeks in a 46 gal "reef" QT (established for two years with live rock, sand, HOB 'fuge). Then into DT with no acclimation box due to a mishap; went to put her into the box, and my C. laboutei went into the box instead. Tried to get the C. laboutei out while putting the M. bipartitus in, and she ended up escaping into the DT. No issues from other wrasses, just my Powder Brown. Aggression only lasted one day.
  • Tank set up - 125 reef, setup for 9 months, though rock and sand are 2 years established.
  • How many other attempts, if any, you made to keep a leopard wrasse and thoughts on why this attempt was successful - First attempt at a Leopard. I believe introducing her first into my 46 was a big contributor to success. It gave her a few weeks to get her on my timezone, and well eating before going into my wrasse filled 125.





  • M. choati (juvenile), about 1.5". Have had it for 1 week.
  • Source - LFS. It was there for 1 week before I brought it home. It had been eating since day one at the LFS, and I of course witnessed it eating.
  • Method of introduction - Placed in my acclimation box right into my 125 with PVC for hiding and a tupperware container with sand. 3 days in the box, and then into the DT. No aggression at all from any other tankmates.
  • Tank set up - 125 reef, setup for 9 months, though rock and sand are 2 years established.
  • How many other attempts, if any, you made to keep a leopard wrasse and thoughts on why this attempt was successful - Second attempt at a M. choati, though only being 1 week, it can not yet be called a success. The first was bought online and went into my 46 QT. I never saw it again, though on the third night I saw the cleanup crew congregated in the rockwork, and knew what they were cleaning up. For this time, I didn't want to risk the same fate, and so chose the acclimation box. It did just fine in there, although it never slept in the sand (instead it wedged itself between the PVC to sleep at night!). Since introduction into the 125, it has no problem competing for food and is constantly on the pod hunt.





 
the choati's are about the most difficult to keep for any prolonged period IME. I think you just get lucky if one does survive and length of time . from speaking with others they seem to have to have a super stable tank .ATO ,dosers etc , needed and they do not appreciate and alk or ph change along with being super bad shippers . I have had a couple dozen and they all died fat and happy looking eating very well one day and then just dead the next . some have kept them but I have had horrible success with them . they are my favorite but just such a difficult fish to keep .
I wish you the best and hope he does well for you !
 
iamwrasseman said:
the choati's are about the most difficult to keep for any prolonged period IME. I think you just get lucky if one does survive and length of time . from speaking with others they seem to have to have a super stable tank .ATO ,dosers etc , needed and they do not appreciate and alk or ph change along with being super bad shippers . I have had a couple dozen and they all died fat and happy looking eating very well one day and then just dead the next . some have kept them but I have had horrible success with them . they are my favorite but just such a difficult fish to keep .
I wish you the best and hope he does well for you !
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughts and info from experience on them. I do appreciate it! I do think my tank is stable. Temp is maintained within .5 degrees, ATO, dosing pumps, stable Alk & pH. As noted, I realize 1 week is not a success with these guys. Though I think getting a nice, small one at my LFS that was eating great hopefully is a good start to keeping this guy longterm.
 
Quick update, day 10 with the M. choati. Doing awesome still! It wakes up about 30 minutes before lights on, and to bed at lights off. Hunts for pods all day long. Eats very well; has no problem competing with the others.

I will note that throughout this thread it has been said to only feed PE Mysis. I will say that my M. choati LOVES Hikari Mysis. I feed that daily, and then usually at least one small cube of PE Mysis at night. The PE it picks at, but not with the same gusto as Hikari. My other Wrasses don't seem to have a preference one way or the other (they eat everything, including nori).

DT has been kept between 77.0-77.3, however I am lowering it down over the course of a couple days to 76.0-76.3. This will give a little buffer for the warmer months. Alk remains steady due to dosing (BRS doser). Dosing is spread out throughout the lighting period, so Alk remains very stable throughout the day.

Couple pics from today (sorry about the filthy glass; its been over a week since it has been cleaned!):



 
I'm considering adding one of these - bipartitus, meleagris or negrosensis. Is one of these easier than the others? Also, if I have room for two additions would you get a M/F pair or get two different leopards. TIA
 
Update on my Leopard Wrasse, I have had it for 43 days and it is looking better than ever. My favorite addition to my tank by far.

mAQrQal.jpg
 
Stunning fish. My next leopard, no question. Just gots to find a healthy one. My LFS had a couple, but they looked really ragged.
 
iamwrasseman said:
awesome to see he is doing well ! looks small ,what size is he ? please keep us posted as to how he does throughout the future
Click to expand...

Sorry for just replying now; been crazy busy at work. But yes, it is nice and small, about 1.5". Going on 4 weeks tomorrow. Hunts for pods all day, gets fed Mysis twice a day. Definitely putting some weight on too. So almost past the 1-month mark :)

mysterybox said:
I would have kept That one in QT 4 weeks longer...Happy Easter! Good luck!
Click to expand...

Wasn't sure if you were referring to me or not, and if so, which one (M. chaoti or M. bipartitus).
 
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